Positive air shutoff valve maintenance

Abstract

A method and system of periodically cycling an air shutoff valve, upon a pre-determined length of time elapsing since the last valve cycle; or upon the cumulative run time of an engine since the last valve cycle exceeding a pre-determined value.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of periodically cycling an air shutoff valve on an engine, wherein the valve is capable of shutting down the engine, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining elapsed time since the last valve cycle; 
 (b) determining cumulative run time of the engine since the last valve cycle; and 
 (c) if either the elapsed time or cumulative run time exceeds a predetermined value, initiating a valve cycle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  comprising the further step of confirming the engine is not running and that a battery voltage is sufficient before initiating a valve cycle. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the valve is automatically cycled or a user may be prompted to manually cycle the valve. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of determining whether or not the valve has successfully cycled after the valve cycle is initiated, and writing a successful valve cycle event or an unsuccessful valve cycle attempt to a log. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of notifying a user by displaying or transmitting a message of the successful valve cycle event or the unsuccessful valve cycle attempt. 
     
     
       6. A valve maintenance system comprising a valve controller connected to an air shutoff valve on an engine, wherein the valve is capable of shutting down the engine, an elapsed time clock and an engine run time clock, the controller programmed to initiate a valve cycle upon a pre-determined length of time elapsing since the last valve cycle; or upon a cumulative run time of the engine since the last valve cycle exceeding a pre-determined value. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein the controller is connected to at least one sensor comprising an RPM detector or an ignition switch controller, and a battery voltage sensor, and the controller is programmed to confirm that the engine is not running and that a battery voltage is sufficient before initiating the valve cycle. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7  wherein the controller is programmed to cycle the valve automatically. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7  wherein the controller comprises a communication module programmed to display a prompt or transmit a message to a user to manually cycle the valve. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7  comprising a memory comprising an event log, wherein the controller is programmed to write successful valve cycle events or unsuccessful valve cycle attempts to the log. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein the controller comprises a communication module programmed to display or transmit a message to a user informing of the successful valve cycle events or unsuccessful valve cycle attempts.